C64-ESP8266 wifi adaptor beta testers wanted

penfold42

Not yet but after the weekend I should have something ready.

This is a cheap wifi telnet adaptor for the C64 based on the dirt cheap ESP8266 wifi transceiver.

Parts needed to build:
User port connector
ESP-01 esp8266 module
3v3 regulator
A couple of 3v3 Zener diodes
Resistors.

Parts needed to upload:
Arduino IDE software
Esp8266 board support
FT232 or similar USB uart

Note: you DONT need arduino hardware - this is using arduino sketches directly on the esp8266.

Post here if you're interested.

penfold42 · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 11:50 am Post subject:

Here's my adaptor so far:

Pyrofer · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:13 pm Post subject:

I just bought the userport connector with the intention of doing almost exactly this !!!

I have a few options. I already have an HLK-RM04 running openWRT. I could probably use that fairly easily.
I already have an XPort wired adapter, I could probably use that.
I could order a cheap ESP and try that.

It seems most people on here are looking at the ESP as the solution of choice purely for cost and size reasons so I might have to go with that instead of my existing hardware.
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penfold42 · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:20 pm Post subject:

The native arduino support makes the 8266 that much nicer for simple things like this.

So far I've got basic serial<>TCP connectivity, +++, ATH and ATO implemented.
ATDT is next and then I can test it on a real 64.

Mamejay · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:13 am Post subject:

I could do some testing for you Penfold.

dabone · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:38 pm Post subject:

I'm in.
I just need to order the parts.

How's flow control working?

Later,
dabone

dabone · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:14 pm Post subject:

Ok, I ordered a esp-01 and a esp-12 (more pins broken out for flow control/cd/ri???)

Later,
dabone

penfold42 · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:59 pm Post subject:

Cool !
I've got ATDT, ATZ, ATE working - haven't plugged it in to a 64 yet.

Flow control ? What's that ?? *grin*

dabone · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:14 am Post subject:

Quote:

Flow control ? What's that ?? *grin*

Pretty worthless without it.
That's the same trouble I had using an early ethernet shield and arduino trying to do the same thing.

It kept overrunning the 64 with out hardware flow control to pause it.

PC's have these wonderful uarts with buffers that the c64 didn't have.

If you do get this running with flow control, you can add a max235 to it and have a great cheap wifi telnet modem for any rs232 device.

Ok, it does need level shifting, time to grab my 74hct04's.
Cheap and easy level shifters.

What are you using the zener diodes for? And I see 2 switches, is that white thing a rgb led?

later,
dabone

penfold42 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:24 am Post subject:

I was joking about the flow control.

It's not there yet, but is next on the list after I know the basics work.

My ESP modules are NOT 5v tolerant - hence the 2 zeners.
I've put them on both RX and TX in case I screw up the wiring or something tries to blast out (an admittedly weak) 5v on the 64's RX line.

Yes, the white thing is a ws2812 led that will be used for status.
Bizarrely I can't get it to work with my modem emulator code yet it works fine with another project.

The 2 switches are c64 reset and esp reset

WilliamRoberts · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:25 am Post subject:

I'm in, should have most of the parts on hand cept the esp8266. Think I have still have that stash of user connectors...

penfold42 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 5:51 am Post subject:

Got the led working on gpio2.
I forgot I had Serial1 still enabled which uses gpio2.

Does the 64 usually use rts/cts or dtr/dsr for flow control ?

I have 1 spare gpio on the esp-01 so can easily hook this to RTS to implement 1 way flow control.
The ESP is so fast and has deep buffers that I won't bother with the reverse flow control

penfold42 · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 12:39 pm Post subject:

Yay!

The series resistors I had as part of the level shifter were too high. It wouldn't even do a loop back.

I need to do flow control and dte baud rate selection next.

Questions:
In +++ command mode - do real modems buffer or discard received bytes ?

Does anyone know a standard at Command for dte bit rate selection ?

Pyrofer · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:22 pm Post subject:

Right, got the Userport connector. Does it have to be an ESP-01?

I assume the cheapest that don't mention which -x version they are on eBay are the 01 as it seems to be the cheapest?
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www.pyrofersprojects.com

penfold42 · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject:

Nope - most of them seem to be logically equivalent.
The variations seem to be;
More or less GPIO pins available,
more or less flash included,
Internal/external antenna
horrible or sane pin spacing !